Events
Human rights film series
Human rights film series, screening powerful documentaries throughout the month to create awareness on human rights and gender issues. 7 to 31 March, 7pm, Attic Bar, Uttar Dhoka, www.hrffn.org
Himalayan rush, run, swim, or cycle around Begnas Tal and promote healthy, community-based tourism around the lake. 30 March, Pokhara, 9851021852/9851102046
Backyard screenings, watch great cinema while enjoying delicious food. Rs 100, 2 to 28 March, every Thursday, 6.30pm, Backyard Café, Jhamsikhel
Holi, join thousands on the streets of Basantapur, Thamel, Patan, and Pokhara to celebrate Holi , the festival of colours with much fanfare and enthusiasm. 26 March
Bonjour, an exhibition of Francophone comics that have been loved all over the world. Runs till 23 March, 10am to 5pm, Alliance de Francaise, Teku
Thai film festival 2013, watch award-winning films that observe and explore Thai culture and society. 21 to 22 March, Nepal Tourism Board, 10am to 5pm, free tickets available at the Royal Thai Embassy
Expressions of devotion, an exhibition of etching, unique print, and video installations by Uma Shanker Shah and Seema Sharma Shah. 24 March to 17 April, 10am to 5pm, Siddartha Art Gallery, Babarmahal
Nepal International Indigenous Film Festival, the seventh edition of the annual NIIFF will explore issues related to Nepal’s minority. 25 to 28 April, City Hall, Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road, (01)4102577, ifa_festivals@yahoo.com, www.ifanepal.org.np
With love from France, Image Ark Gallery invites you to a dual exhibition of French artists Nicholas Henry and Floriane de Lassee. Runs till 28 March, 10am to 5pm, Image Ark Gallery, Patan, (01)5006665
Lalitpur Festival 2013, an international celebration of the best arts, crafts, culture, tradition, and businesses of the SAARC region in the city of fine art. 28 to 3 April, Lalitpur
Toni’s Nepal
On the 10th anniversary of Toni Hagen’s death, Heritage Gallery has revived his classic photo-exhibition on Nepal, one that was held 20 years ago and inaugurated by Late King Birendra.
When Hagen first arrived in Nepal in 1950, he was assigned merely to take aerial photographs of the country’s incredible terrain. By the time of his death in 2003, he was one of the most respected advocate of sustainable development in Nepal. Traversing across 14,000 kilometres of unchartered territory, the geologist in Hagen ultimately found Nepal’s “people more important than its rocks”. Hagen took hundreds of photographs in his 12 years of travelling on foot and they have become the only window to the Nepal of the past.
Runs till 31 March, Heritage Gallery, Toni Hagen House, Gachhen, Bhaktapur, (01)6613197
Garden of Dreams
Recently voted by Time magazine as one of top 24 hideaways in the world, the Garden of Dreams is a firm favourite among those who seek isolation in the middle of the metropolis. What was once a private garden set in the sprawling lawns across the former royal palace is now an oasis open to the public. Dine at the Kaiser Cafe, admire the artfully maintained flora, or grab a mat and lie down to read a book, so close yet blissfully far away from the chaos of Kathmandu.
Garden of Dreams, Thamel, (01)4425340
The Golden Door
The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) inaugurated the recently restored Golden Door Ensemble (funded by the German government) and Yantaju Shrine (gifted by Lamu Amatya in memory of her husband Bhubaneswar and mother-in-law Sita Devi) in Mulchowk courtyard, Patan Darbar
Dining
Bagaicha
Bagaicha, serves Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Thai dishes. Jawalakhel
Bombay Masala, transcend the limits of geography with a wide variety of cuisine. Pulchok
Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Cafe, bide your time in the free wi-fi zone as you enjoy wood-fired pizzas, home-made pastas, and the Tibetan gyakok. Boudha, (01)4485585
The Heritage, escape the hodgepodge of the tourist hub as you relish delights like paella and panna cotta. Thamel
Chilly Bar and Restaurant, quality food and wide selection of drinks with great views of Phewa Lake. Lakeside, Hallanchok, Pokhara, (061)463614/463163
Tian Rui, if you’re looking for genuinely good Chinese food this restaurant is the place to go. Thapathali
Dragon Chinese Restaurant, try the Kung Pao Pork if alone and the Mai Cao if with company.Lakeside, Pokhara
Everest Steak House, an old-school joint for everything steak, a sanctuary for meat lovers. Thamel, Chhetrapati Chok, (01)4260471
Mulchowk, a blend of culinary expertise and charms of a bygone era, enjoy a wholesome meal in a beautiful setting. Babarmahal
Sarangkot Fordays Restaurant, have a Sarangkot special breakfast while enjoying spectacular views of the mountain ranges. Sarangkot, Pokhara, (061)696920, 9817136896
Cinemas
Getaways
Holi at Sunkoshi
Holi at Sunkoshi, delicious food, beach volleyball, bonfire, and rafting on demand during the festival of colour, guarantees more clean fun than Kathmandu. Rs 2,000 for day-trip, Rs 2,500 for overnight stay, and Rs 3,000 for Holi celebrations, 26 March, Sunkoshi Beach Camp, (01)4381214/4381723
Mum's Garden Resort, head out to Pokhara for a peaceful and comfortable stay in beautifully designed cottages surrounded by a lush green garden with great views of Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range. Lake Side, Pokhara, (061)463468, www.mumsgardenresort.com
The Yellow House, bed and breakfast for the light traveller. Sanepa, (01)5553869/5522078, www.theyellowhouse.com.np
The Last Resort, canyoning, hiking, rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, bungee jumping – test your limits at the Last Resort. Bhotekosi, Sindhupalchok, (01)4700525/1247
Music
Alice
Alice, the Swiss duo Alice and Gregg jam with Kiran Nepali, Hari Maharjan, and Rizu Tuladhar. 23 March, 6.30pm, Hotel Shangri-la, Lajimpat, (01)4242832/4241163
Live at Cafe 32, live music and delicious food every Friday. 6pm onwards, Cafe 32, Battisputali, (01)4244231